Conceptual Framework

Ashley Davidoff MD

Introduction

The conceptula framework provides a simple framework from which to start understanding the structure of the uterus. Simple lines and vectors are used much like the initial foundation and framework of a building on which the detail will be built.

Coronal Plane

In the coronal plane the uterus has features reminiscent of the letter “T”.

The “T” Shape of the Uterus

The diagram reflects the “T” shaped structure of the uterus.

The “T” shaped Uterus and its Component Parts

The diagram reflects the “T” shaped structure of the uterus as well as the component parts including the fundus (dark pink) the body (light purple), and cervix (royal blue). The Fallopian tubes (teal) at the upstream end, and the vagina at the downstream end (purple) complete the tract of the genital tract .

The Tract Within the Component Structures

The diagram reflects the “T” shaped structure of the uterus, the component parts, and the tract (light pink) starting from the vagina (purple and extending through the uterus and Fallopian tubes (teal). The parts that the tract traverses includes the vagina at the downstream end (purple), cervix (royal blue), lower uterine segment (light blue), the body (light purple), the fundus (dark pink) and finally the Fallopian tubes (teal) at the upstream end.

Creating Form around the “T”

The diagram reflects the “T” shaped structure of the uterus, the component parts, and the tract (light pink) starting from the vagina (purple and extending through the uterus and Fallopian tubes (teal). The form of the structures surrounding the tract have been expanded to their relative dimensions and shapes The parts that the tract traverses includes the vagina at the downstream end (purple), cervix (royal blue), lower uterine segment (light blue), the body (light purple), the fundus (dark pink) and finally the Fallopian tubes (teal) at the upstream end. .

Shaping the “T” to Realistic Form

The diagram advances the “T” shaped structure of the uterus and the genital tract. The form of the structures and the tract have been expanded to their relative dimensions and shapes The parts that the tract traverses includes the vagina at the downstream end which now is a significantly expanded part of the tract (pink), cervix (royal blue), lower uterine segment (light blue), the body (lighter blue), the fundus (dark pink) and finally the Fallopian tubes (teal) at the upstream end.

In the Sagittal Plane

In the sagittal plane the uterus has a structure reminiscent of an “L”

“L” Shpaed Structure in the Sagittal

The diagram represents a sagittal view of the uterus reflecting an ‘L” shaped structure of the uterus and vagina The parts that the “L” represents include the the fundus (dark pink), the body (lighter blue), lower uterine segment (light blue), cervix (royal blue), and the vagina (purple) at the downstream end.

The “L”Shaped Uterus and Vagina with the Internal Tract

The diagram represents a sagittal view of the uterus reflecting an ‘L” shaped structure of the uterus vagina, and the internal cavity. The parts that the tract traverses includes the vagina at the downstream end which now is a significantly (pink), cervix (royal blue), lower uterine segment (light blue), the body (lighter blue), and the fundus (dark pink).

The “L” Shaped Uterus

The sagittaly reconstructed CT shows an anteverted uterus buoyed and cushioned by partly filled bladder (yellow) In this sagittal view of the uterus an ‘L” shaped structure of the uterus vagina, and the internal cavity is diagrammed in by the pink vectors of the tract.

Anteverted and “V Shaped

The diagram represents a sagittal view of the uterus reflecting an ‘V” shaped structure of the uterus and vagina The uterus varies in position and in this case is anteverted, that converts the L shaped structure described to a “V” shaped structure

Retroverted Uterus

The position and axis of the uterus is not always as outlined. The uterus is fairly mobile and in this sagittal MRI it is retrovertedand isnstead of being a “L” or a “V” configuration it is almost an “I”